Album Review: Delirium — Ellie Goulding

Alright folks, something amazing happened last Friday.Ellie Goulding released her third full-length album, and man is it impressive. Eclectic, mature, lyrically vast, there’s so many words to describe Delirium but none that will do it justice. No wonder we waited two years for this iconic album.

Goulding released four tracks prior to her album release, “On My Mind,” “Lost and Found,” “Army,” and “Something in the Way You Move;” all fabulous, all different, and all helped boost anticipation. “On My Mind” caused gossip around the world because it was clearly the response track to Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t,” which sheds light on their secret relationship two years ago.

“Army” is definitely the most personal track, and Goulding explained that after years in the industry and writing music, she had written about heartbreak, love, success, but never about her dearest friendship. It’s a slower track but reveals a more personal side of Goulding that isn’t present in her more upbeat tracks. Also, her vocal harmonies at the end make the song well worth a listen. “Something in the Way You Move” was the other stronger release, in my opinion, because it gave us a fresher, more free sounding Goulding especially compared to her last album Halcyon. Delirium is much brighter, happier, and confident than the dark and edgy Halcyon. There are definite traces of her debut album, Lights, within Delirium; the wistfulness appeared again.

The opening track, “Aftertaste,” sets the tone for the whole album. The track begins with flourishes and beats the remind us of Halcyon, but after the first verse the entire arrangement of the song transforms to show us the transformation that Goulding has undergone as an artist these past two years. Her songs still struggle with love, lust, and empowerment, but in a whole new way. “Don’t Need Nobody” is another one of this girl’s favorites. Vocally powerful, lyrically originally and relatable, “Don’t Need Nobody” has everything a song should have, including a sick beat.

She experiments more with her sound and deeper beats with tracks such as “Keep On Dancin’” and “I Do What I Love.” For those familiar Ellie electronic dance tracks, she gave us “Holding On For Life” and “Around U.” “Scream It Out” is the power ballad of the album; the slowness catches your ear, especially within all the other fast-paced tracks. The last track I would suggest giving a listen would be “Devotion” (Although you should listen to every track because they are all amazing). “Devotion” starts off sounding acoustic and light, but then a beat drops and track gains intensity every moment following.

Delirium is a whole new stage for Ellie Goulding. She matured within her sound and established herself as an artist to reckon with. Goulding is setting out on a North American tour next spring, and will be gracing the stage at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 13th, 2016. Although the tour will be a sight no one should miss, I’m already excited for a fourth album from the electro-pop queen.

It's new, it's fresh, but it still is the Ellie Goulding we know and love.

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Rodney Stereo is the Founder and Brand Director of Stereo Champions who is originally from Trenton, NJ. He is a sports fanatic, Xbox One enthusiast, and loves all things Wu-Tang Clan. He's chilling in the District of Columbia.

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